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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.02.24 CC Meeting Minutes 1 City of Carmel CARMEL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2024 – 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY HALL/ONE CIVIC SQUARE MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Council President Anthony Green, Council Members: Jeff Worrell, Ryan Locke, Rich Taylor, Adam Aasen, Teresa Ayers, Matthew Snyder, Anita Joshi, Shannon Minnaar, and Deputy Clerk Jessica Komp were present. Council President Green called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. AGENDA APPROVAL The agenda was approved unanimously. INVOCATION Council Chaplain Rich Taylor delivered the invocation. RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS Council President Green announced Carmel High School Senior, Julia Hohne and Carmel High School Junior, Madeleine Arroyo. Julia and Madeleine won first place at the Junior World Food Championships. The pair also won an award for extraordinary teamwork. The students were presented with a certificate and pin to congratulate them on their achievements. Councilor Ayers announced local artist, John Moore, creator of the sculpture “Love Eternal”. Love Eternal is a heart symbol interlocked with the infinity sign. This sculpture honors Mr. Moore’s late wife, Zebbie, who made him promise to one day do something special with the symbol that he had used to sign his personal notes to loved ones for over three decades. “Love Eternal” is on display near the Tarkington Theater, along the Monon, for all passersby to enjoy. RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL There were none. COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS Councilor Worrell shared that the short-term rental situation that had been happening in Cheswick Place, on Carmel’s West side, has been successfully settled by the city. Councilor Minnaar added that any PUD that comes to Carmel now will have rental restrictions. Docusign Envelope ID: 337E1795-1D91-4960-99FA-D408E1DFED08 2 CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilor Aasen seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. The consent agenda was approved 9-0. a. Approval of Minutes 1. November 18, 2024 Regular Meeting b. Claims 1. Payroll - $3,669,623.08 2. General Claims – $4,065,080.73 and $31,395.63 (11/4/24 purchase card) and $27,809.52 (12/5/24 purchase card) ACTION ON MAYORAL VETOES There were none. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilor Worrell reported that the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee met just before this meeting, at 4:00 p.m. Resolution CC-11-18-24-06 returns from committee, but Ordinances D-2740-24 and D-2741-24 remain in committee. At this time there is not another Finance meeting scheduled for the month of December, but the committee will meet if there is cause to. Councilor Snyder reported that the Land Use and Special Studies Committee met on November 20th to discuss the Parks’ Interlocal Agreement (Ordinance D-2726-24) which is returning from committee tonight with a unanimous positive recommendation. OTHER REPORTS – (at the first meeting of the month specified below): Henry Mestetsky, Carmel Redevelopment Director, gave the Redevelopment Commission’s monthly report to Council. At City Center, the Wren and the Windsor continue their construction, with retail buildout coming soon. This year about 12 of our major pieces had descriptive plaques installed. First on Main is generally finished, work still remains on the for-sale condo component of that project. Magnolia is starting on their next set of units. The Muse may have a sushi restaurant moving in to its retail space. The other retailers are yet to be announced. The Signature is open and the retail is open. There was recently a grand re- opening for long-time Carmel business, Stout’s Shoes. Civic Square Condos’ construction should start in Spring 2025. Proscenium II façade looks great, first floor retailers are yet to be announced. Progress on 111 S. Rangeline continues. Icon on Main will likely be a Q3 2026 completion, including the public plaza. Councilor Aasen asked if there was an opening date set for 1933 Lounge, he had heard it might be March 2025. Director Mestetsky responded that he would have to look into that. Councilor Aasen then asked for an update on the three houses near Fourth and Main Street. Mr. Mestetsky stated that a concept of first-floor retail, four (4) for-sale units on the second floor, and one (1) for-sale unit on the third floor will be going in front of the Plan Commission on December 17th. If this successfully goes through Plan Commission and the entitlements process, the CRC would be coming back to Council for an allocation process, but there will not be a bond request. Councilor Snyder stated that when this comes before Council, Mr. Mestetsky should be prepared to answer questions about why we didn’t acquire the rest of that land, and what it is going to look like behind that building. Councilor Worrell asked Mr. Mestetsky about parking issues around the Docusign Envelope ID: 337E1795-1D91-4960-99FA-D408E1DFED08 3 Christkindlmrkt, and what is being done to alleviate that situation. Councilor Ayers then informed everyone that there is currently a comprehensive parking study being performed for Carmel, a portion of which will include the Christkindlmrkt. Police Chief Drake Sterling shared that the new traffic pattern is helping alleviate some of the congestion for this year’s market. Councilors Worrell and Minnaar shared that they are receiving feedback from constituents about the garages being full near the Palladium. Councilor Snyder asked Mr. Mestetsky about developers financing some of the large roads that are needed to support the enormous buildings they are building, instead of the city paying for these roads. Mr. Mestetsky stated that in years past, the city has paid for roads, as we were trying to build a downtown out of scratch. We needed the roads built to incentivize the businesses and developers to come here. Councilor Snyder stated that it was deplorable that the road next to Carmel on Rangeline was closed for two years for Proscenium II to be built, when only one lane was milled and filled. He asked when Third Avenue would be opened back up. Brad Pease, Director of Engineering, responded that it is behind schedule due to the utility company being behind schedule, but hopefully by the end of the year. Tony Reck gave the quarterly report for the Climate Action Advisory Committee. Mr. Reck shared that the Department of Community Services is conducting a transportation study to determine the viability of a public transit system, which would connect the east and west sides of Carmel to downtown. There has also been talk of the redline again, which would go through Carmel, and potentially connect downtown Indianapolis to Grand Park in Westfield. The 10th annual Rain on Main auction of the painted rain barrels has raised $40,000.00 to date. We have auctioned off 153 of these barrels, resulting in 230,000 gallons of run-off water that has been diverted from Carmel Utilities. Out of these 153 barrels, the city has installed zero. While we do not have a sustainability coordinator position in our budget for next year, we are able to hire a summer intern. Councilor Aasen expressed his concern with the Climate Action Committee not having enough focus on enacting the goals of the Climate Action Plan, which is the committee’s intended purpose. Councilor Snyder echoed that concern. Mr. Reck responded that the committee has always maintained the goals of the action plan at its meetings. But with their limited scope of funding and manpower, the volunteers of this committee can only focus on the things they can get done. Councilor Locke confirmed that at each Climate Committee meeting, each of the items on the action plan are addressed. Department Heads attend the meetings to weigh in on the action items, and to report on which items their department is tackling. Councilor Locke also shared that the Mayor is working on a new strategic plan for the city, and offered to let the Climate Action Committee look at it to see if there are any areas of the Climate Action Plan that can be woven into the Mayor’s strategic plan for the next year. Alexia Lopez, Community Services Planning Administrator, shared an online dashboard which allows city departments to upload information on ways they’ve implemented the Climate Action Plan. Councilor Snyder stated that he’s not sure we need this group, as our departments are already doing things in a sustainable way whenever possible. Councilor Locke shared that he feels there is value in giving our citizens this opportunity to contribute to a cause that so many care about by allowing them to interact with our department heads and track our progress towards these established goals. Councilor Joshi stated that she also sees value in our citizens having the opportunity to get involved with our city’s sustainability efforts, but perhaps we redefine how this committee functions going forward. The Climate Action Committee will meet this Wednesday, December 4th, in Council Chambers. OLD BUSINESS Council President Green announced the sixth reading of Ordinance D-2726-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving and Adopting a Third Amendment to Interlocal Agreement; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Snyder and Taylor. This item returns from the Land Use and Special Studies Committee with a unanimous positive recommendation. Councilor Snyder stated that our Parks Department exists in its current form because of this few page document, which keeps government directly out of it. As a quasi-government entity, the city and the township appoint a board to govern the department. Docusign Envelope ID: 337E1795-1D91-4960-99FA-D408E1DFED08 4 The Land Use committee discussed long-term funding of the Parks. Hopefully the two-year extension this ordinance provides will give us the time to come up with a funding solution for the future. Michael Klitzing, Executive Director of Carmel Clay Parks, stated that this ordinance buys us two years to come up with a funding plan, or in a worst case scenario, come up with a transition plan for whatever the department looks like in the future. Director Klitzing expects the Park Board to also adopt this ordinance when they meet on December 17th. Councilor Taylor stated that the issue of long-term funding for Carmel Clay Parks has been discussed every year as long as he can remember. Councilor Snyder wants to resolve this issue once and for all. Specifically, this amendment keeps the current board intact. Councilor Worrell asked what it will take for a decision to be made regarding the five same funding options that keep being considered. Director Klitzing said that we want the township to continue to be the primary funding source for the capital projects, to retain the joint structure that we’ve had. He wishes we could get a referendum passed right now, but that will require the state statute allowing it. We are actively working with the state legislature, both the House and the Senate, to try and get that enabling legislation. This would benefit other cities’ park systems, as well. We, as citizens, can help these efforts by lobbying to make this legislation happen. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Taylor seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Ordinance D-2726-24 approved, 9-0. Council President Green announced Resolution CC-11-18-24-06; A Confirmatory Resolution Designating an Economic Revitalization Area and Approving Tax Abatement for Qualifying Certain Personal Property – Alliance for Cooperative Energy Services Power Marketing, LLC; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Joshi and Worrell. This returns from the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee with a unanimous positive recommendation. Councilor Worrell thanked the ACES team for coming to the meetings, participating and answering every question. Councilor Worrell moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Resolution CC-11-18-24-06 approved, 9-0. Council President Green announced the fourth reading of Ordinance D-2740-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 1, Sections 2-1, 2-3, 2-6, 2- 10, 2-12, 2-13 and 2-14 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Aasen. This item remains in the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. Council President Green announced the fourth reading of Ordinance D-2741-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 6, Sections 2-301, 2-302 and 2-303, of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Aasen. This item remains in the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. Council President Green announced Petition for Alley/Street Vacation or Order to Remove Obstructions; 40 East Main Street, Carmel, IN 46032; Carmel Library Associates, LLC, Property Owner. This item remains in the Land Use and Special Studies Committee. PUBLIC HEARINGS Council President Green announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2746-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing and Approving an Appropriation of Funds from the Marketing and Community Relations Budget (#1203) to Line Item 4359000 - Special Projects; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Taylor. Councilor Taylor moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. Zac Jackson, City of Carmel CFO/Controller, explained that there are two corresponding items on this agenda that help to make up this transfer. This ordinance takes $200,000.00 of available funding from the Full-Time Employee line item in the Police Department Budget and transfers it to the Special Projects line item in the Marketing and Community Relations Budget. From there, the corresponding resolution will grant $100,000.00 to Prime Life Docusign Envelope ID: 337E1795-1D91-4960-99FA-D408E1DFED08 5 Enrichment and $100,000.00 to the Carmel Clay Historical Society. Councilor Worrell stated that he did not like for there to be a two separate requests for $100,000.00 in one ordinance, and this should have been two separate ordinances. He also stated that the public will want to know why we are taking money out of our Police Department’s budget to be given to other groups. Police Chief Sterling explained that the Police Department had a surplus due to being understaffed by about 12 positions. Councilor Snyder added that the Historical Society had put together a proposal requesting three years of funding whilst their other funding starting cycling in. Being that the All Things Carmel store had closed, the Historical Society will now act as a type of welcome center for the city. Although Councilor Snyder supports the two organizations, he stated that he didn’t feel comfortable voting for this until we know where the shortfall in road funding is going to come from. Zac Jackson stated that this year we should end up underspending our general fund appropriations by at least $6 million. Additionally, we may have the excise and surtax go into effect by July, which would bring in another $1.8 million. Councilors Joshi and Taylor spoke about splitting this up into two ordinances. Councilor Taylor stated that splitting this up would have required two separate public hearings, and two separate newspaper advertisements. Council President Green opened up the public hearing at 8:08 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to address the Council, President Green closed the public hearing at 8:09 p.m. Ordinance D-2746-24 was held over until the December 16th Council meeting. Council President Green announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2749-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing and Approving an Appropriation of Unexpected Funds from the Operating Balance of the Local Road and Street Fund (202); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Ayers, Green and Worrell. Councilor Joshi moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Ayers presented the item to Council. Zac Jackson explained that we are using funds that were encumbered back in 2018 and rolled forward into the 2024 budget. The synopsis of this ordinance needs to be reworded to reflect this, and the letter "R” needs to be removed from the account numbers referenced in this ordinance. Council President Green opened up the public hearing at 8:14 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to address the Council, President Green closed the public hearing at 8:15 p.m. Councilor Snyder made a motion to amend the ordinance. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Motion to Amend approved, 9-0. Councilor Joshi moved to suspend the rules and vote on this tonight. Councilor Aasen seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Motion to Suspend the Rules approved, 9-0. Councilor Joshi made a motion to approve the ordinance as amended. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Ordinance D-2749-24 Approved as Amended, 9-0. NEW BUSINESS Council President Green announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2751-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending and Creating Law Enforcement Aid Funds; Sponsor: Councilor Worrell. Councilor Worrell moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Worrell presented the item to Council. Chief Sterling explained that this ordinance will separate the forfeitures collected from both the Police Department and the Drug Task Force into two separate revenue accounts, one for each. There was a discussion on the amount of forfeitures collected, and then Councilor Worrell thanked Major Meyer for his help with this ordinance. Councilor Aasen moved to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Motion to Suspend the Rules approved, 9-0. Councilor Aasen moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Ayers seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Ordinance D-2751-24 approved, 9-0. Council President Green announced Resolution CC-12-02-24-01; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds from the Carmel Police Department Budget (Fund 1100) into the Marketing and Communications Department Budget (Fund 1203); Sponsor(s): Docusign Envelope ID: 337E1795-1D91-4960-99FA-D408E1DFED08 6 Councilor(s) Green and Taylor. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the resolution. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to the Council. Resolution CC-12-02-24-01 was held over until the December 16th Council meeting. Council President Green announced Resolution CC-12-02-24-02; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Approving a Transfer of Funds Within the Human Resources Department Budget (#1201); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Aasen. Councilor Aasen moved to introduce the item. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Aasen presented the item to Council. Zac Jackson explained that this transfer within the Human Resources budget has to do with money needed to cover the cost of an interim HR Director as well as the costs involved with the payroll function being moved from the Finance Department to Human Resources. At the next Council meeting, there will be a request for a transfer of funds from the Finance Department to the Human Resources Department to finish up these costs being covered. That transfer had to be publicly noticed, which is why it is not happening at this meeting. Councilor Aasen moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Minnaar seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Resolution CC-12-02-24-02 approved, 9-0. Council President Green announced Resolution CC-12-02-24-03; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing a Transfer of Funds Within the 2024 Carmel Police Department Budget; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Minnaar, Worrell and Joshi. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Joshi presented the item to Council. Chief Sterling explained that this transfer will cover the contracted cost of previous Police Chief Jim Barlow working for the Police Department. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Resolution CC-12-02-24-03 approved, 9-0. Council President Green announced Resolution CC-12-02-24-04; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds within the Mayor’s Office Budget (#1160); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Aasen. Councilor Aasen moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Ayers seconded the motion. Councilor Aasen presented the item to Council. Zac Jackson explained that this helps to cover the cost of the Chief of Staff position, which was created this year. When the previous Chief of Staff left the position, that person was eligible for a PTO payout, hence the need to supplement this account. However, line 38 should be reduced from $35,000.00 in furniture and fixtures to $10,000.00. Councilor Snyder objected to a request for funds covering AV equipment for the Chief of Staff’s office, which should have already been covered by another purchase order. There was a discussion over the total cost of the renovations to City Hall, and bringing these needed transfers to Council in a more timely manner. Resolution CC-12-24-04 was held over until the December 16th Council meeting. Council President Green announced Resolution CC-12-02-24-05; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds within the Marketing and Community Relations Department Budget (#1203); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Aasen. Councilor Aasen moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Joshi seconded the motion. Councilor Aasen presented the item to Council. Zac Jackson explained that the $50,000.00 in furniture can be reduced to $5,000.00. Resolution CC-12-02-24-05 was held over until the December 16th Council meeting. Council President Green announced Resolution CC-12-02-24-06; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds Between the Grant Fund (#900) and the General Fund (#101); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Aasen. Councilor Aasen moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Joshi seconded the motion. Councilor Aasen presented the item to Council. Zac Jackson explained that these funds are to cover the costs of festivals and community events. Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Aasen seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Resolution CC-12-02-24-06 approved, 9-0. Docusign Envelope ID: 337E1795-1D91-4960-99FA-D408E1DFED08 7 Council President Green announced Resolution CC-12-02-24-07; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds Within the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund (#201) Engineering Department Budget (#2200); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Snyder, Taylor and Worrell. Councilor Ayers moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Snyder presented the item to Council. Brad Pease, Director of Engineering, explained that this will cover a PTO payout and other personnel expenses. Councilor Worrell moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Joshi seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Resolution CC-12-02-24-07 approved, 9-0. AGENDA ADD-ON ITEMS There were none. OTHER BUSINESS There was none. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Snyder expressed his displeasure in not finding out in a more timely manner about crime that happens in Carmel. Police Chief Sterling asked for more detail as to what Councilor Snyder was referring to. Councilor Snyder referred to a deceased person who was found. Chief Sterling assured the Council that there was no suspicion of foul play in this occurrence. Councilor Snyder stated that the Council should be informed of these matters sooner, and not learn about them from constituents. Councilor Aasen stated that they do get text updates, but didn’t know if those could be publicly shared. Chief Sterling said he would speak with Councilor Aasen after the meeting to discuss further. Councilor Taylor stated that the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Senior Living will be hosting the Age- Friendly Brain Conference at the Carmel Clay Public Library on Wednesday, December 4th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the large community room, with keynote speaker Dr. Boustani. ADJOURNMENT Council President Green adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, _______________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk Approved, ATTEST: _______________________________ Anthony Green, Council President _______________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: 337E1795-1D91-4960-99FA-D408E1DFED08